My Goodwill Story – Valerie

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate resilience, growth and the power of opportunity. At Goodwill®, we see those qualities every day in the women who come through our doors — women who are ready to rebuild, redefine their futures and take the next step toward meaningful careers. Valerie’s story is one of those journeys. 

When Valerie first arrived at Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois (Peoria), she was determined to rebuild her life while completing probation. Like many individuals navigating career transitions, she faced multiple challenges: limited digital skills, uncertainty about today’s job market and questions about where to begin. 

What is the Goodwill Opportunity Accelerator®? 

Through the Goodwill Opportunity Accelerator® (OA), Valerie found a clear, supportive pathway forward. The OA is a Goodwill framework for helping individuals move from uncertainty to employment success. It starts with personalized assessments that help identify strengths, interests and immediate needs. From there, Goodwill teams work closely with each person to address barriers, build skills and create a realistic, achievable plan toward a career. 

From day one, Goodwill staff partnered with Valerie to understand her goals and challenges. Together, they mapped out the next steps, focusing on building confidence, strengthening skills and resolving any gaps that might stand in the way of long-term employment. 

What Kind of Skills Can You Gain Through Goodwill? 

Valerie fully embraced the process. She began with digital skills training, gaining essential computer knowledge needed in today’s workplace. As her confidence grew, she continued advancing through additional training opportunities, including virtual reality job skills training, soft skills classes, OSHA Forklift Certification and earning her Google AI Essentials certification. Each milestone equipped her with practical tools and reinforced her belief in what she could achieve. 

Beyond training, the OA connected Valerie’s new skills to real-world employment readiness. Goodwill staff supported her in building a professional résumé, creating online job-search profiles and strengthening her interviewing and application skills through one-on-one coaching. Regular check-ins ensured she stayed on track, celebrated progress and adjusted strategies when needed. 

With her skills sharpened and confidence renewed, Valerie was ready to take the next step. Today, she has secured and successfully maintained full-time employment with a local pizzeria, a testament to her determination and the comprehensive support she received along the way. 

Valerie credits Goodwill not only for the training and career guidance, but also for providing a welcoming, encouraging environment where she could grow and prepare for her future. In a joyful twist, she even met her now fiancé during training at Goodwill. 

Her journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when opportunity meets determination. During Women’s History Month, and every month, Goodwill is proud to support women like Valerie as they overcome challenges, build careers, and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.